Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-07-08
NOBLE Words.
Our Patriot President will not Visit
St. Louis During the Encamp-
ment Of the 6. A. R,
lie has Heard of the Threats CT Assas.
sinstiOn Made by Members Of the
Grand Army Of the Republic.
Believing the Union Exists no Will AID
Harmony in the First &. y, L. Meet
ing in e Southern City.
THE LETTER N FULL.

THE LETTER ~ FULL.
ST. LOUIS, Mo, July THE following
letter from President Cleveland to Mayor
Frances of THIS city explains itself. l,
will be remembered that Mayor Frances
headed committee Of twenty-five repre-
sentative citizens Of st. Louis who YER
bslly extended, some weeks ago, su III
vitation to the President 10 visit this city
during the holding of the Grand Army
eGCampment in September Il ext:
EXECUTIVE MANSION.
WASHING Of, JUly /. 1857.
Hon. David Z. Frances Mayoriand Chairman:
NJ DEAR SIR: When | received the
extremely cordial and gratifying invita-
lion from the citizens OF ST. Louis ten
dered by some Of her representative men
10 visit that city during The national en-
Cgmpment Of the Grand Army OF the Re
public, ] had been contemplating for
some time the acceptance of an invita-
ton from that organization TO the same
effect and had considered the pleasure
which it would afford me if it should be
possible to meet, not only the members
Of the Grand Army, but the people
OF St. Louis and other cit
les in the west which tue
occasion would give me an opportunity
TO visit.The eXgCt!ons oJlny public duties,
felt to be uncertain, so that when first
confronted by the delegation of which
you we're the head / expected to DO no
more at tast time than 10 promise the
consideration OF the double invitation
rendered me and express the pleasure It
would give me- TO accept the some here
sitter Il possible. But the cCrdislity and
sincerity Of your presentation re inforced
by the heart!ness Of the people VINO sur
rounded you so impressed me that l
cculd not resist. the feeling which
prompted ne 10 assure YOU on
the spot that l would be with
'you and the Grand Army OF the Republic
II tue time designated, il nothing hap
ncled il the meantime to absolutely pre-
vent my leaving WASHINGTON. Immedi-
Gtciy upon the public announcement of
this conclusion expressions emanating
from certain important members OF the
Grand Army Of the Republic and inCreas-
ing in vIrulgnCe and violence constrained
me to review the acceptance OF the invi-
tat on. the expression referred to goes
TO the extent Of declaring that I would be
an unWClCOmc guest a. the time and
place OF The national encampment.
This statement is based, as well
as | can Judge, upon certain official
acts Of mine involving important
public interest done under the restraint
and obligation OF my oath OF Office, which
do not appear to accord with the wishes
OF some members Of the Grand Army Of
the Republic. l refuse to believe that
this OrgarIzation, founded upon patriotic
ideas, composed very largely Of men en-
titled TO lasting honor and consideration,
and whose CroWniEg glory it should be,
that they as American citizens as well as
veteran soldiers deem it 10 part Of its
mission TO compass any object or pur-
pose by attempting to intimtdate the eX-
eCutive, or COerCe those who are charged !
with making and executing the laws, and |
the expressions TO which ! have
referred indicate such prevalence Of IN
friendly feeling and such menace to an |
occasion which should be harmonious, |
peaceful and cordial that they cannot be |
ignored. l beg you to understand that l !
am not conscious Of any act Of mine !
which should make me fear to meet the !
Grand Army of the Republic or any other |
of my fellow citizens. The |
account of my official stewardship IS al /
ways ready for presentation 20 my cOun- |
,Tymen. l should not be frank if l failed |
ID confess while diSClaimlng all resent |
ment that | nave been hurt by the
sGd WsntOn attacks upon me |
growing out Of this matter and the reck-
ess manner in which my actions and !
motives have been miSTepr5sented, both |
publicly and privately, for which, how
2ver, the Grand Army Of the Republic as
body is by no means responsible. The
.hreatS Of personal violence and harm in
;ase ! should undertake the trip liz cues
ion, which scores OF misguided, unbal-
InCed men, under the stimulation of ex-
'Ited feeling, have made, are not even
considered. Rather than abandon nv
'isit to the west AID disapp0ilt your
.itiZsnS ! might, il l alone were con-
erued, submit to the insult which
I is quite openly asserted I would
'e helplessly subjected to il present
It the encampment but l should bear
Win ne there the peoples highest Of
ice, the dignity Of which I must protect,
md I believe that neither the Grand
Army Of the Republic, as an organization,
Tor anything like me- Ority Of its mem
leTS, would ever encourage any scandal.
'u5 attack upon it. If, however, among
he membership Of this body there are
cine, as certainly seems to be the case,
determined TO denOuGCe me and nv OFF,
ial acts at the national enCampment,
believe they should be permitted to do
o unrestrsined by my presence as 9
.uest OF their organization, or
S guest of the hospitable city
I which their meeting IS held. \ num-
er of grand army posts have signiaed
heir intention, am informed, TO remain
way from the enCsmpment in case l visit
he city at that time. Without consider
d the merit Of such an excuse, l feel
hist l ought not to be the cause of such
The time and place Of
ne encampment were fixed long before
ny invitations were received. Those de-
iring to participate in it's proceedings
hould be first regarded and nothing
hould be permitted to interfere with their
Intention. Another consideration of more
than all others remains to be
oticed. The fact was referred to by you
Ehen you verbally presented the invita-
ion Df ri-iyzus C4 TnrfJ